ReutersEl Salvador has provided to soak up “harmful criminals” held in American jails – together with these with US citizenship, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says.
After assembly President Nayib Bukele on a go to to the Central American nation, Rubio mentioned the US was “profoundly grateful”, including that “no nation’s ever made a suggestion of friendship comparable to this”.
El Salvador may also settle for for deportation migrants of any nationality who’re criminals and within the US unlawfully, the secretary of state mentioned.
Rubio has praised Bukele for his insurance policies on gang violence which have dramatically lowered crime charges in El Salvador – as soon as the homicide capital of the world – however have been criticised by human rights teams.
Rubio instructed reporters: “He has provided to deal with in his jails harmful American criminals in custody in our nation, together with these with US citizenship and authorized residency.”
“We’re profoundly grateful. I spoke to President Trump about this earlier in the present day,” he mentioned.
Rubio is on his first abroad tour because the US prime diplomat, and has been searching for to claim the Trump administration’s priorities within the area, together with demanding that Panama make “fast modifications” to what he calls the “affect and management” of China over the Panama Canal.
Rubio mentioned Bukele was keen to take again residents from El Salvador in addition to migrants from different international locations, and appeared to recommend the main target can be on Latin American gang members – comparable to MS-13 or Tren de Aragua.
Since his return to the White Home, President Donald Trump has centered on dashing up the elimination of illegal migrants, with the promise of “mass deportations”.
In allied strikes, extra energetic obligation troops have been despatched to fortify the US-Mexico border and the president has sought to halt the processing of migrants and asylum seekers by way of an government order.
Bukele urged to reporters that his provide on prisons went additional than a 2019 settlement on accepting migrants.
And in a put up on X, he mentioned he had provided the US a possibility to “outsource a part of its jail system”.
“We’re keen to soak up solely convicted criminals (together with convicted US residents) into our mega-prison… in alternate for a price.”
Bukele, a former mayor of the capital, San Salvador, first gained energy in 2019 on a pledge to create a “new period” for El Salvador, tackle gang violence and corruption and foster higher relations with the US.
He noticed his recognition soar after launching a crackdown on crime and gangs, turning El Salvador from the homicide capital of the world into one of many area’s most secure international locations.
His authorities carried out sweeping arrests of anybody suspected of being concerned in gang exercise throughout his first time period in workplace.
An estimated 75,000 individuals have been arrested below emergency measures which have been repeatedly prolonged, alarming human rights teams.
Amnesty Worldwide criticised the “gradual substitute of gang violence with state violence” within the nation.